I sat next to a Pro Football Hall of Famer, Joe Perry tonight at a wedding reception. Had a very interesting conversation with him.
He was the first black player for San Francisco in 1948, and he says it wasn’t easy. Many of the players didn’t want him around.
He also talked about serving on an all-white battleship in the Pacific during WW II. He said he had to fight every night at first until they learned to respect him, after which he made life-long friends.
He’s 80 years old, but when I met him I thought he was in his 60’s. He is still quite sharp and fit. You’ve got to respect someone who’s lived the life he has, and excelled despite the adversity.
That’s cool.
Comment by Donna — April 25, 2006 @ 5:36 pm